The Shoppes at Brownstone Village

Find something for everyone on your shopping list (and for yourself) at one of the more than 120 boutiques inside The Shoppes at Brownstone Village. Among the many treasures you’ll find: premium denim, trendy tops, home décor, kids’ stuff, jewelry/accessories, plus a full-service salon and El Gabacho Tex-Mex restaurant.

The Shoppes at Brownstone Village
2408 W. Abram St.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm; Sunday 1pm – 5pm; Salon: Mon-Sat 8:30am-8pm
(817) 275-8990
http://brownstonevillage.com

Believe it or not, this fun shopping spot with over 20,000 square feet of boutique shoppes was once a roller skating rink! Now it’s a place to shop, eat, and relax.

Got your husband/boyfriend with you and he’s slowing you down as you try to shop? El Gabacho (my favorite Tex-Mex restaurant in all of Arlington) is inside The Shoppes, so let him have a beer or margarita at the bar (while watching sports) and you take your time strolling among the 120 boutiques.

Here’s a full list of the boutiques (by category):

CLOTHES & ACCESSORIES: The British Chick; Caliente Company; Cowgirl Junkie; Damina MacDougal; Faux Pas Jewelry; Flax Linen by Legacy; FlooZees; Fluffy Girl; Gatlin Menagerie Golf; GRAE; Groovy’s; Holly Queen; Jewelry Junkie; Jon Hart Designs; Kaboodle Pendants; Kate’s One-of-a-Kind Jewelry; Katie’s Jewelry; Lipstick Jungle Boutique; Lucky T’s; Outfitters of Little Fork Ranch; Purple Tangerine; Rebecca’s Ranch; Sassy Threadz; Shanabeads; Silver Lining; Taylormade Designs; Ward Girls & Co.; and Windward Trading Co.

HOME DÉCOR: Adhering Words; Adoore; Annie’s Metal Outlet; Antique Garden; Cami Hughes; Candle Corsets; Cheeky’s Art; Cottage Couture; Cowgirl Junkie; Flair Footage; Forget Me Nots; Letters in Nature; Love Letters; Magnolia’s; Mom’s Bunk House; Moore Antique Tin; Mountain Memories; Queen of the Trailer Park; Redfish Studio; Shabby Garden; the pepper patch of Arlington; Vella Nest; and Willow Antique.

GOODIES FOR THE KIDDOS: A Wish With Wings; Bunnies and Bows; Carried Away Baby; CJ Boutique; Claire’s Baby Boutique; Double Daisies; Dreamin Bohemian; Fisherkids; Itzy Bitzy Gifts; Haute Socks; Molly and Me Bouqtique; Nest; Pizzazzing You; Scribbles and Dribbles; Speakbot; S Squared; and Toodie Loo.

A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING: Achieve; Amy’s Cakery; Becky Elledge: The Cookie Lady; Bon Sens; Casa Loca; Brandi Potter Photography; Crowns and Roses; Cupcake Celebrations; Flying Monkey; From the Heart; Helmut Walker Photography; Hers & Hers; JH Design Studio; Luxury Imprints; Magnolia’s; Major Images Photography; Pattijeans; Recipe Relish.

Info on the Spa: The Salon at Brownstone Village has gotten a refined updo, revamped and restyled. The 16 suites that line the halls are full of talented, smiling faces that specialize in bringing your best features forward. Salon hours are Monday through Saturday, 8:30am-8pm.

The salon has hair stylists, nail technicians, estheticians and a masseuse whose goals are nothing more than to ensure a relaxing and enjoyable salon experience. With new ownership, The Salon is now one with The Shoppes, so be looking for special promotions with the salon staff along with new fashions to be showcased in the salon halls.

For the list of technicians at the spas along with phone numbers to call for appointments, go to this site, then click on “The Salon” and scoll down: http://brownstonevillage.com/.

Located in west Arlington at 2408 W. Abram Street (intersection of Abram @ Bowen, southeast corner), click here for directions and to link to a map: http://www.brownstonevillage.com/map.htm

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Flying Fish: Downtown Arlington’s New Seafood Restaurant

There’s a new seafood restaurant which opened in downtown Arlington last June: Flying Fish. It’s fast-casual and great for a quick lunch or evening hanging out with family/friends. Whether you’re going for the Poor Boy Loafs, fried catfish, Ceviche, or boiled platters of shrimp/crawfish/crab legs, check out Flying Fish.

Flying Fish
300 E. Abram St (downtown Arlington, between Center St. & Collins)
Hours: 11am-10pm daily
(817) 303-3335
http://flyingfishinthe.net/Arlington.php

Flying Fish is fast-casual: you order at the counter and dispense your own drinks. One wall is full of those fake “Billy Bass” singing fishes (don’t worry, they’re not turned on). In fact, it’s the World’s First Billy Bass Adoption Center: bring that stupid plastic singing fish you got as a gift several years ago, fill out the adoption papers and put it on the wall at Flying Fish in exchange for a basket of fried catfish!

You can also add to the “Liar’s Wall” which is photos of people with their prize catches on recent fishing trips. I’ve never caught anything big enough to put on Liar’s Wall.

There’s also this funny sign on another wall: “We love kids, but please keep yours at the table…unattended children will be given a shot of espresso and a free puppy!”

Gotta love the sense of humor at this place!

They’re joking about the kids, of course. Definitely bring the family (they do a good business on weekends, especially on Sunday after church.

A couple of the specials include: Sunday’s Preacher Special (50-cent oysters-on-the-half-shell all day Sunday); and Wednesday’s All-U-Can-Eat Catfish Filets ($14.95).

For fried foods, they use 100% Peanut Oil.

The Kids’ Menu (called Kids’ Boats) are $3.99 (ages 12 & under) and include fries, drink, and your choice of: kid burger, 1 catfish filet, 2 jumbo shrimp, 2 chicken strips, or chicken sandwich.

Of course, if you really want to freak out the kids, order the fried Crispy Frog Legs ($9.99)!

The Poor Boor Loafs (includes fries & hush puppies) range from $7.99 to $9.99 and include choice of catfish, shrimp, oyster, chicken, tilapia, BBQ shrimp, crawfish or grouper.

For the non-seafood lovers, there are burgers, chicken tenders, and salads.

Can’t decide between the fried oysters or catfish or shrimp or chicken strips? Get the Combo Baskets ($5.99 to $14.99).here’s also the “Hog Wallow Fry” ($15.99, probably the best value) which includes 2 catfish fillets, 4 shrimp, and 6 fried oysters.

The most expensive of the boiled platters is the Snow Crab Legs (1 lb) for $14.99. The hot-boiled shrimp (my husband’s favorite) is $13.99 for 1 lb. Mud bugs (okay, crawfish) are served in-season by the pound.

Something you don’t find in every seafood restaurant: Grits & Gumbo (my mom usually order this) for $7.99.

Trying to be a litter healthier than the fried foods or Poor Boys? The grilled plates selections include catfish, rainbow trout, salmon, tilapia, snapper, grouper, chicken, BBQ shrimp, or shrimp ka-bob. Add Veracruz sauce to any of the grilled fish for only $1.29 extra. The Snapper Veracruz (fried whole red snapper w/rice & veggies, covered in Veracruz sauce) is $13.99. Fish tacos (grilled tilapia or fried catfish) are $9.99 and come with cole slaw, rice & beans.

One thing I’d like to recommend (and what I usually get for a light lunch) is the Crawfish Chowder ($3.99 cup/$5.99 bowl). Yes, I enjoy the Seafood Gumbo, but the crawfish chowder is when you’re in the mood for something a little different (and equally delicious!).

If you like shrimp cocktails ($7.49), try the Mexican Shrimp Cocktail ($7.99) which has a little zesty kick. I haven’t tried the Ceviche ($7.99) just yet (maybe next trip).

More interested in adult beverages? Yes, you can get beer, wine & margaritas here. Beer on tap is $2.75/$3.75 and bottled beer ($2.95/$3.95). You can also get a 6-pack bucket ($14.99/$18.99). Wine is available by the glass; Frozen margaritas are $5 (regular) or $8 for the 18 oz.

Only four choices of dessert, but they’re tried-and-true: Key Lime pie, banana pudding, bread pudding, and cobbler.

(Note: all prices listed are from menu as of January, 2012)

Click here to see the full menu: http://flyingfishinthe.net/Arlington_Menu.php

LOCATION: in downtown Arlington at 300 E. Abram Street, at the corner of Elm and Abram. For a Google map/directions, click here: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=300+E.+Abram+St+Arlington,+TX+76010&sll=40.718572,-73.995174&sspn=0.013222,0.033023&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=300+E+Abram+St,+Arlington,+Texas+76010&view=map

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Tom’s Burgers n Grill

The self-proclaimed “Home of the Best Burgers in Town” is Tom’s, and they may not be bragging. The grill for the burgers and steaks uses smoked pecan wood to provide a unique flavor. This is also a popular spot for breakfast, hand-spun shakes, made from scratch onion rings, and a chicken fried steak with batter rolled in potato chips. If you want to eat where the locals eat, try Tom’s Burgers n Grill. And while burgers are the specialty, I recommend the Shrimp-Bacon Specialty Wrap.

TOM’S BURGERS N GRILL
1530 N. Cooper (Cooper at I-30, southwest corner)
Open daily at 6am
(817) 459-9000
http://tomsburgersngrill.com

The retro look, both outside-and-inside, gives patrons the feel of the old-fashioned diners.

Located at the southwest corner of Cooper @ I-30, the big sign makes Tom’s easy-to-spot.

Tom’s looks like an old-fashioned diner and has that kind of feel, too. If you want, you can sit on the stools at the lunch counter. Tuesday nights are busy because it’s Half-Price Burger Night.

The grill for the burgers and steaks uses smoked pecan wood. You can also order a hot dog, bratwurst (soaked in beer) or smoked sausage off the grill (then add sauerkraut, smoked onions, chili, cheese, jalapenos, etc.)

Using a wood-flamed grill, these burgers are great. But I think it’s their buns (toasted butter-brioche) that make the real difference. The buns are really good and fresh.

Tom’s is also well-known for their made-from-scratch onion rings which are served with a homemade dipping sauce that regulars buy by-the-pint and take home with them. The onion rings are cut thick with lots of batter. You can get them as a side-dish with your burger or sandwich (a slight extra charge), or order them as an appetizer.

I also recommend trying the Chicken Fried Steak which is hand-battered in potato chips (that’s right….BATTER INCLUDES POTATO CHIPS!), then fried with secret seasonings.

The burgers are the specialty (1/3 pound starting at $4.49; ½ pound up to $7.29 for most expensive) and there’s a good variety including patty melts. I ordered the 1/3 pound mushroom swiss with a side of onion rings, and it was more-than-enough.

There are Monday-thru-Friday daily lunch specials and Burger Baskets that range in price from $6.99 to $8.99. I love a place where you have a choice of fries or tater tots with your burger basket!

In addition to burgers, there are specialty wraps (grilled chicken; turkey; shrimp/bacon; chicken fajita) that range in price from $6.79 to $8.49. There are also sandwiches, including their “Famous Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich”.

Tom’s also features homemade soup of the day and homemade chili.

Heads-up to families: Kids Eat Free on Thursday nights!!!!

And if you’re a UTA student, you get a discount with your student discount card. And if you’re wondering why there are UTA pennants decorating the walls, it’s because Tom graduated from UT-Arlington with a mechanical engineering degree. Tom left the world of engineering to open this restaurant in 2006. He jokes that he now builds-a-better-burger. You’ll probably see Tom working behind the counter or in the kitchen during your visit.

The daily lunch & dinner specials are: MONDAY – Fried Catfish on Mondays ($8.99 lunch, $9.99 dinner); TUESDAY – Cheeseburger Club for lunch and half-price burgers for dinner; WEDNESDAY – Featured Burger Night; THURSDAY – Chicken Fried Chicken for lunch and dinner and Kids-Eat-Free on Thursday nights; FRIDAY – Steaks (prices vary by cut & size); SATURDAY & SUNDAY – Breakfast Steak & Eggs ($10.99) as a breakfast, lunch & dinner steaks (prices vary by cut & size).

The Kids’ Menu ($3.99) includes choices like: mac n cheese, spaghetti, pb&j, kid dog, grilled cheese, or chicken fingers.

Click here to take a look at the daily full lunch/dinner menu: http://tomsburgersngrill.com/menu-lunchndinner.html

Speaking of BREAKFAST: Tom’s opens each morning at 6am for breakfast which is served until 11am (breakfast served ‘til 1pm on Saturdays & Sundays). You can BYOO (Build Your Own Omelette – three eggs with three addings) for $7.29. Chicken fried steak & eggs is $9.49. You may choose to go with the Southern Benedict rather than the Eggs Benedict (they use a biscuit & sausage instead of an English Muffin & ham on the Southern Benedict). Or you can go with migas ($6.49) or chorizo & eggs ($5.99). The breakfast burrito (includes a side of hash browns) is $5.69.

The kids’ breakfasts cost $3.99.

Click here for the full standards breakfast menu: http://tomsburgersngrill.com/menu-breakfast.html

I also want to quickly mention the appetizers on the lunch/dinner menu…..it’s probably the most unhealthy item on the menu, but the bacon cheese fries ($5.99) are awfully good!

And since we’re on the topping of not-good-for-you…the hand-dipped shakes are $3.49 (but worth every calorie!).

In a hurry and don’t have time for a sit-down inside the restaurant? You can order on-line for carry-out. Click here for the link: http://tomsburgersngrill.com/

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Fish Bone Grill: Seafood Restaurant

Whether you prefer your seafood with a Cajun flair or possibly ‘south of the border’-style (Mexican Shrimp Cocktail or Caldo), you can find it directly across the street from Cowboys Stadium at Fish Bone Grill. This casual spot has weekday lunch specials for only $6.99 and is popular before/after events at the stadium.

Fish Bone Grill Seafood
816 N. Collins (across the street from Cowboys Stadium)
Hours: Mon-Thurs, 11am-9pm; Fri & Sat, 11am-11pm; Sun, 11am-10pm
(817) 261-5798
www.thefishbonegrill.com

Fish Bone Grill is casual & laid-back. You won’t find linen napkins or linen table cloths here. You’ll find lots of seafood selections which are reasonably priced, and some really cold beer served in frosted mugs. The oysters on the half shell ($7.99 half-dozen, $11.99 dozen) are also ice cold.

(*Note: prices based on menu as of January, 2012)

Lunch specials go all the way ‘til 4pm on weekdays (Mon-Fri, 11am-4pm). The prices are only $6.99 for the fried selections and $7.99 for the grilled selections. Lunch prices for the stir fry (shrimp, chicken or crawfish) and Alfredo pasta (with shrimp, chicken or crawfish) are $7.99.

Fish Bone Grill boasts that they serve the coldest beer in the metroplex (draft beer served in a frosty schooner for $3.95). Pitchers are $13.99. Specialty beers include Dos Equis, Pacifico, Modelo Special, Sam Adams, Sol, Corona, and Tecate.

Happy Hour is 5pm-7pm daily and you get $1.00 off each beer.

There’s a small outdoor patio that has a great view of Cowboys Stadium. It gets crowded on days of events/games at the stadium, but it’s as close as tail-gating from the parking lot (literally across the street from the stadium, closer than most parking lots).

I already mentioned the Mexican Shrimp Cocktail ($7.99 regular, $10.99 large)…you can add fresh oysters for 75 cents. For the salads, there’s the avocado halves filled with shrimp salad ($10.99) as well as salad with grilled shrimp ($9.99) or grilled chicken ($8.99).

One of the selection you find here that you don’t find at most other seafood restaurants is the Stir Fry (shrimp, chicken, or crawfish; $10.99). I always choose the crawfish stir fry which you can get scampi-style or New Orleans style (spicy). It’s served on a bed of rice almondine and includes green peppers, red onions & mushrooms.

Also, as the crawfish or shrimp Etoufee ($10.99) is a little bit different here, but I really like it. It’s not the Cajun kind of roux (darker gravy), it’s more of a scampi.

Each time I go to Fish Bone’s I always get the Cajun Seafood Gumbo ($5.99 cup, $7.99 bowl) because it’s truly some of the best gumbo in town. My brother-in-law loves the Caldo (same price as gumbo). He also usually gets the Oyster Po-Boy ($8.99).

The Po-Boys are big enough to share (at least for ladies) and come with a side of fries or homemade tater chips. You can also choose shrimp po-boy, catfish po-boy, or crawfish po-boy.

Is there someone in your group who doesn’t eat seafood (or is allergic to shellfish)? Fish Bone Grill also has burger baskets, grilled chicken, Buffalo wings, chicken strips, fried mushrooms, and nachos.

If everyone in your group like seafood, you can get the “Giant Seafood Platter” ($47.99) or “Half-Giant Seafood Platter” ($27.99). Each include shrimp, catfish, tilapia, cod, clam strips, stuffed crabs, fries & hush puppies.

Obviously the selections include fried catfish ($10.99 & up), fish & chips ($10.99), fried shrimp (starting at $9.99 for 6 piece), and grilled-or-blackened fish selections (salmon, mahi-mahi, tilapia, catfish; ranging rom $10.99-12.99).

Can’t decide between the fried shrimp or popcorn shrimp or grilled shrimp-on-a-stick? The “Shrimpfeast” has all three ($10.99). You can also choose combinations with the “Seafood Platters” ($10.99 for combo of 2; $13.99 for combo of 3 selections including fried oysters, fried shrimp, popcorn shrimp, catfish nuggets, tilapia filets, clam strips, stuffed crabs, popcorn crawfish).

One pound of Alaskan Snow Crab Legs (yes, with the new potatoes & corn) is $16.99.

Fish Bone Grill is located at 816 N. Collins (about 5 blocks south of I-30), which is Collins between Randol Mill Rd and Division St. Again, it’s directly across the street from Cowboys Stadium. Click here for Google map/directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=816+n+collins+st,+arlington+tx&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7TSND_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x864e7d815e222ceb:0x3932031312b2c606,816+N+Collins+St,+Arlington,+TX+76011&gl=us&ei=t_AaT57wA7SEsALt-pG3Cw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CCAQ8gEwAA

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Dyno Rock Indoor Rock Climbing Center

Dyno Rock offers indoor rock climbing for groups, families, or individuals of all ages and skill sets with over 16,000 square feet of climbing space and walls which are 25 feet high (great for ‘hanging out’ with friends/family)! Dyno-Rock also has over 2,000 square feet dedicated to bouldering. This is the only indoor climbing gym in Arlington and, because it’s air-conditioned, you’ll be more comfortable than roasting on the side of a rock in a hot Texas or Oklahoma summer or freezing your tail off during the winter.

DYNO ROCK INDOOR ROCK CLIMBING CENTER
608 E. Front Street, Arlington TX
Hours: Wed-Fri, 11am-10pm; Sat, 3pm-10pm; Sun 1pm-7pm; Mon-Tues, 3pm-10pm
Prices: Day passes start at $10 plus shoe/harness rental at $6; Monthly Passes $45
(817) 461-3966
www.dynorock.com

Dyno-Rock is open daily, but hours can vary so check out the Web site (www.dynorock.com) or call (817) 461-3966 to double-check for the day you plan to visit. Overnight lock-ins are available for groups.

Every first-time visitor must do the mandatory safety class before they’re allowed to climb. After this quick course (about a 10 minute walk-through) you’ll feel confident with the equipment and with what you can and can’t do.

In climbing, someone is always left holding the rope. It’s called belaying. While you climb, your climbing partner is on the ground taking up the slack in your rope. When you are finished with your climb, it’s the belayer that lowers you safely back to the ground. They’ll teach you how to do it, so don’t worry if you’re unfamiliar with belaying.

Dyno-Rock has easy slopes for beginners, plus over-hangs and inverted lead-climbing for advanced climbers. All ages are welcome and family passes are offered at value savings.
Here’s the pricing: Day Pass $10; Full Rental (shoes & harness) $6; Harness Rental – $3
Shoe Rental – $4; Chalkbag – $2.

SPECIAL DISCOUNTS:
– $8.00 Climbing Pass with valid Boy or Girl Scouts / Firefighter / Law Enforcement I.D. / EMS
– Maverick Discount (UTA) available. Show student I.D. to receive $2.00 off Climbing Pass.

Discounts for multiple visits: 10-Punch Card – $70; 10-Punch Card With Rental – $120.
Monthly passes are only $45 ($65 with rental). 3-Month passes are only $120 and annual passes are $360 (that’s less than a dollar a day!).

This is a fun activity for active families and there are special discounts through FAMILY PACKAGES:
Family Month Pass (Equipment Not Included)
Family of 2 – $80.00 per month
Family of 3 – $105.00 per month
Family of 4 – $120 per month
** No long term contracts required **
Family Month Pass (Including Equipment)
Family of 2 – $120.00 per month
Family of 3 – $165.00 per month
Family of 4 – $200 per month

A class for “Climbing 101” is available for beginners. It’s recommended for those who’ve tried climbing prior to the class, ages 14-and-up. The class cost $30 and includes a day pass and use of equipment. The class lasts approximately 1 hour. Call for more info on Climbing 101.

Dyno-Rock is a great idea for groups/parties. Many local church youth groups take advantage of the lock-ins (either 4 hour or 8 hour lock-ins are available beginning at 10pm). A party room is available for birthday parties or other special events. Group discounts are available.

Every climber must sign a waiver. Anyone under 18 years old must have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. Call for more info.

Dyno-Rock has an after-school program for local kids. Dyno Rock also has a team which competes nationally and internationally.

But you don’t have to be a serious, experienced rock-climber to enjoy Dyno-Rock. This is a fun day for the family or just hanging out (literally, in a harness) with your buddies.

Everyone who climbs or belays must have a waiver form signed. Anyone under the age of 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. If the waiver form is not signed in the gym, it must be notarized or you must have a legible photo copy of the driver’s license of the parent or legal guardian who signed the waiver. New waiver forms are required yearly.

SAFETY FIRST
No matter what, every first-time visitor to DynoRock is put through our safety class before being allowed to climb. This quick course instills confidence and awareness of the rules in the gym. This not only ensures your safety, but also the safety of our other climbers.

The address for Dyno Rock is 608 East Front Street in Arlington. To be honest, it’s not the easiest place to find (and sometimes GPS can lead folks astray), so here are directions from Dyno Rock’s Web site:

Directions:
*(From Dallas) -30W to Collins South. Take Collins South to Division Street and turn Right (West) on Division. At the next light (East Street), turn Left. At the stop sign, turn left again. We’re the last building on the right.
*(From South Arlington) – Take Cooper North to Division. At Division, turn Right. Go to East Street, and turn Right again. At the stop sign, turn left again. We’re the last building on the right.
(From Fort Worth) – 30E to Collins South. Take Collins South to Division Street and turn Right (West) on Division. At the next light (East Street), turn Left. At the stop sign, turn left again. We’re the last building on the right….or….
20E to 360N. At the Division Street exit, get on Division West. At East Street, turn Left. At the stop sign, turn left again. We’re the last building on the right.

For more information, give the experts at Dyno Rock a call at (817) 461-3966 or check out the Web sites (including photos of the rock walls) at: www.dynorock.com.

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